Fleshgod Apocalypse

Fleshgod Apocalypse
Fleshgod Apocalypse at the Finnish Metal Expo 2012
Background information
Origin	Perugia, Italy
Genres	Symphonic death metal, technical death metal
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Willowtip, Candlelight, Nuclear Blast
Members	Francesco Paoli Paolo Rossi Francesco Ferrini Veronica Bordacchini Fabio Bartoletti Eugene Ryabchenko
Past members	Francesco Struglia Tommaso Riccardi Cristiano Trionfera
Website	www.fleshgodapocalypse.com

Fleshgod Apocalypse is an Italian symphonic death metal band. Formed in 2007, the group resides in Perugia and are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. They have released five full-length albums, most recently Veleno on May 24, 2019.

History

Formation and Oracles (2007–2009)

Fleshgod Apocalypse was formed in April 2007 by Francesco Paoli (formerly frontman of the band Hour of Penance). They recorded their first demo, Promo '07, at 16th Cellar Studio, in Rome, with producer Stefano "Saul" Morabito, releasing it shortly after. The demo was re-released the following year on a split CD with fellow Italian bands Septycal Gorge, Modus Delicti and Onirik. Fleshgod Apocalypse then signed to Neurotic Records. In early 2008 the band toured Europe, supporting bands like Behemoth, Origin, Dying Fetus, Hate Eternal, Suffocation, Napalm Death and many more.

In May 2008, the band recorded its first full-length album, Oracles. In December of that year the band decided to part ways with Neurotic Records and signed with Willowtip Records, who released Oracles in 2009. Shortly thereafter, new member, Tommaso Riccardi took over vocals and rhythm guitar, which were previously handled by Francesco Paoli, and Paoli took over the drums, replacing session drummer Francesco Struglia.

Mafia EP and Agony (2009–2012)

In 2010, the Mafia EP was recorded, again at 16th Cellar Studios, and was released via Willowtip Records. It includes four new tracks and a cover of the track "Blinded by Fear" by At the Gates. The band embarked on another European tour shortly after the end of the Mafia recording sessions, supporting Suffocation. Following this tour was a headlining tour of Russia.

Until 2010, band founder Francesco Paoli was simultaneously in his former band Hour of Penance doing vocals, as well as drumming in Fleshgod Apocalypse. He quit Hour of Penance to focus on Fleshgod Apocalypse full-time as drummer and song writer. In November 2010, the band signed a worldwide deal with record label Extreme Management Group, Inc. and began writing for the second full-length album. In May 2011 the band signed a worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records and began wrapping up work on their second album. During this time, another new member, Francesco Ferrini, the pianist and orchestrator of Oracles and Mafia, was added to the band as the full-time pianist and orchestrator. This addition honed Fleshgod Apocalypse's sound on their upcoming album.

The band released their second album, Agony, on August 9, 2011 in North America and August 19, 2011 in Europe. The iTunes version of Agony also includes a cover of the track "Heartwork" by Carcass.

Fleshgod Apocalypse took part in the 2011 Summer Slaughter Tour in North America, alongside co-headliners Whitechapel and The Black Dahlia Murder. The band toured the US with Decapitated in late 2011. In January 2012, they toured the UK with The Black Dahlia Murder and Skeletonwitch. During March 2012, Fleshgod Apocalypse toured South Africa, supported by local death metal acts.

On December 22, 2012, the band released a music video for "The Forsaking" from the album Agony.

Labyrinth (2012–2016)

Fleshgod Apocalypse at TLA 2013

Fleshgod Apocalypse's third album is entitled Labyrinth, and was released on August 16, 2013, in Europe, and on August 20, 2013, in North America, by Nuclear Blast. Labyrinth was recorded with Stefano Morabito at 16th Cellar Studio. It features guest contributions, and is a concept album about the myth of Labyrinth of Knossos and its analogies to modern times.

King, Trionfera's departure, and Riccardi's departure (2016–2018)

Fleshgod Apocalypse's fourth album entitled King was released on February 5, 2016. The work was an important success, peaking at #27 in the Billboard Chart.

On October 10, 2017 the band announced that Tommaso Riccardi had left the band. He was replaced by drummer Francesco Paoli who returned to lead vocals and rhythm guitar, while guitarist Fabio Bartoletti from Deceptionist joined the band on lead guitar. The band tapped David Folchitto as their live touring drummer, who stayed with the band for two years.

Veleno, coronavirus impact, and official new members (2019–present)

In 2019 Fleshgod Apocalypse released their fifth album, Veleno. The album continued and expanded on the style they had perfected with King, and was accompanied by the release of two powerful music videos directed by Giovanni Bucci for the songs "Sugar" and "Monnalisa". In April 2019, it was announced that the band would be touring with Hypocrisy in North America with a spring quartet.

In February 2020, Eugene Ryabchenko from Vital Remains became the band's new live drummer. Fleshgod Apocalypse was supposed to do another round of American shows with The Agonist in 2020, but this tour was for the most part cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The band has resorted to streaming on Youtube to host Q&A sessions with fans, as well as livestreaming a virtual concert at Bloom Studio in Rome in August. A video for an acoustic version of "The Day We'll Be Gone" was released on October 23rd 2020, whereupon it was announced that soprano Veronica Bordacchini, guitarist Fabio Bartoletti and drummer Eugene Ryabchenko had officially joined the band.

Members

Current

• Francesco Paoli – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2007–2009, 2017–present), drums (2009–2020), backing vocals, additional guitars (2009–2017)
• Paolo Rossi – bass, clean vocals (2007–present)
• Francesco Ferrini – piano, string arrangements, orchestral effects (2010–present; session 2009–2010)
• Veronica Bordacchini – operatic vocals (2020–present; session 2011–2020)
• Fabio Bartoletti – lead guitar, backing vocals (2020–present; session 2017–2020)
• Eugene Ryabchenko – drums (2020–present; session 2020)

Former

• Tommaso Riccardi – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2009–2017; session 2009)
• Cristiano Trionfera – lead guitar, backing vocals (2007–2017)
• Christopher Bachmann – vocals (2007–2008)
• Francesco Struglia – drums (2007–2009)

Session

• Mauro Mercurio – drums (2009)
• David Folchitto – drums (2017–2020)

Timeline

• Fleshgod Apocalypse, current setting live at Metal Frenzy Festival, Gardelegen 2017
• 
  Francesco Paoli
• 
  Paolo Rossi
• 
  Francesco Ferrini

Discography

Studio albums

• Oracles (2009)
• Agony (2011)
• Labyrinth (2013)
• King (2016)
• Veleno (2019)

Demo

• Demo (2007)

Split

• Da Vinci Death Code (2008)

EP

• Mafia (2010)

External links

• Official Merchstore